agree w post on palm and rod more important than drag. Having said that the Peetz is a hoot and looks great also. My dad liked the wood, he used to say "all that glitters is not gold". we both caught Kings to hi-thirties on the Peetz. .I also fish w Islander MR2 and find the drag and level of quality very hi, the drag is also quite easy to adjust via knurled machined knob. It is a heavy reel tho and as mentioned expensive. Perhaps a compromise although no longer in production would be the Hardy Longstone. It is super light but the drag is no peer of Islander and is more difficult to adjust via smaller machined nut. I fish those also but for different reason Finally, Shimano and Diawa both build inexpensive and I am told very reliable moochers.